Page:Rachel (1887 Nina H. Kennard).djvu/218



the 17th December 1855 the play-bills announced Rachel's appearance in Adrienne Lecouvreur, "positively for the last time in America." Those who wrote the announcement little knew that it was not only her last appearance in America, but her last appearance ou any stage.

A story is told of Forrest, the celebrated American actor, when in his old age he had alienated wife and friends by his violent temper, being complimented on his acting of King Lear. "Act Lear! What do you mean. Sir? I do not act Lear. I act Hamlet, Richard, Shylock, Virginius, if you please; but, by God! Sir, I am Lear!" Rachel might have said the same with regard to Adrienne Lecouvreur. For the first time "l'Adrienne de nos jours," as Gautier called her, was really in love. For the first time during her storm-tossed, artificial life the prospect of peace, repose, and an honourable existence seemed to be hers. For the first time the blue roses of happiness seemed to be within her reach, when they were snatched from her grasp by death:—